The Nymph's Redemption: Acantha's Journey (7ds fanfiction)

Chapter Five: Meeting the Goat Sin

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Meliodas first turned to Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, think you can go and promote the tavern? And while you're at it grab some herbs?" He asked. Elizabeth nodded with a smile before Hawk interrupted. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" He asked. Elizabeth pouted. "I'm perfectly capable of going shopping!" She exclaimed. Hawk huffed. "I'm sure you are but I mean, holy knights are still looking for you. Wouldn't it be better if you stayed? Or at least covered up?" He asked. Elizabeth thought about it and nodded before Meliodas started going on a tangent about what she should wear, putting her in very risque outfits. "I think I'll be fine with just a shawl." She said and scratched the back of her neck. Meliodas gave a nod and sent them off with Elizabeth wearing a shawl over her head and Hawk at her side.

"Alright then, Ban, King, whoever grabs the biggest game wins." The blonde captain said. Ban smirked and cracked his knuckles. "That's what I'm talkin' about." He said. King rolled his eyes and looked down at Meliodas from where he floated on his pillow. "What about your sword? How will you hunt with no weapon?" He asked. Meliodas shrugged. "I'll figure it out." He said and turned to Acantha. He gave a smile and went to pat her on the head only for her to tense up and slightly pull away. Meliodas tilted his head confusingly. "Think ya can stay back and clean and organize the kitchen? And if anyone tries coming in before we're back just say we aren't open." He instructed and ran off to join King and Ban. Acantha just watched before going inside and starting on what she was told to do.

Acantha stood in the kitchen, cleaning the counters and going through what was old and rotten and what was still good to serve to people. Things ran through her mind. 'How can I be useful to them... Anytime I use my fire... I just feel drained. And everything scares me... I wish I was strong like Diane... She always seems so brave...' She thought to herself.

What Acantha didn't realize is that as she was putting away some pots and pans, she accidentally slipped on a puddle of water she forgot to clean up and fell backward. Her first reaction was to drop the cookware in her hands and the mere sound of them crashing and her landing on the ground struck a familiar fear in her. The small girl's heart rate picked up and her vision went blurred. Suddenly her surroundings just felt... All too familiar to a place she's been in before. The once wooden floor appeared more stone-like and instead of a kitchen counter, she felt as if she was seeing a makeshift bed of some wood attached to the wall by chains. Everything appeared more like a jail cell than the tavern kitchen she had been working in.

The sound of the crashing alerted the napping Diane and she had awoken. "Huh....? Did Ban knock over some pans....?" She asked tiredly and peaked in through an open window. "Huh?? Artemis??? What are you doing on the floor??" She asked yet of course got no response. Diane squinted and saw her in the corner looking very distressed. "Are you okay??" She asked in a panicked voice and reached in, grabbing Acantha without knowing what was going on.

Being grabbed seemed to set Acantha off and she muttered two simple words. "Dark... Cell..." The never heard before the voice of Acantha said. It was soft and held a monotonous tone to it. "Huh??? What do you mean?? Wait did you just speak?!" Diane asked excitedly and looked at the trembling girl in her palm. Acantha just repeated these words. Diane finally realized what had been happening. "Okay okay. Artemis! Listen to me wherever you think you are you're not there." She said and tried to provide comfort. Acantha could hear her friend's voice and slowly came to her senses. She now could see where she was, in the palm of Diane's hand. "Are you okay?? What happened???" She asked. Acantha was going to speak before seeing Elizabeth and Hawk return. Diane greeted them and made small talk.

The sky soon became gray around them. Acantha had a bad feeling in her gut. After some time passed, Diane and Acantha heard a roar coming from the mountains. "Woah what was that??"  The young giant girl asked and stood up, holding Acantha and putting the small girl on her shoulder. "Let's go check it out." She said. Really all Acantha could do was hold on as Diane made her way towards the sound. She met up with Cain and Hawk before seeing Elizabeth running while carrying a sword. Acantha noticed how the animals were acting odd and were concerned about what was about to happen. Diane was quick to rush off and follow Elizabeth and make sure the girl didn't get herself killed.